Method and apparatus for slicing honeycomb block



p 1965 J. D. LINCOLN 3,204,500

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLIGING HONEYCOMB BLOCK Filed June 3, 1959 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 1 69 Jamv Z7. Lnvcouv A77 R/VEYS J. D. LINCOLN Sept. 7, 19 65 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLICING HONEYGOMB BLOCK '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5, 1959 nvvewrozr JOHN D LINCOLN ATTORNEYS J. D. LINCOLN Sept. 7, 1965 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLICING HONEYCOMB BLOCK '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 5, 1959 INVENTOR JOHN D Ll/vcouv J. D. LINCOLN Sept. 7, 1965 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLICING HONEYCOMB BLOCK 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 3, 1959 M/VE/VTOR J0H/v D L INCOL/V ATTbR/VE rs P 7, 1965 J. D. LINCOLN 3,204,500

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLICING HONEYCOMB BLOCK Filed June 5, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 AIR COMPRESSOR l 23/ INVENTOR.

W1 JOHN D Lnvcouv I rv Irv I X BY 235 VATTOR/VEYS United States Patent 3,204,500 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLICING HONEYCOMB BLOCK John D. Lincoln, Mount Vernon, Ohio, assignor to Continental Can Company, .Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June 3, 1959, Ser. No. 817,929 17 Claims. (Cl. 83-7) The invention generally relates to new and useful improvements in the art of forming honeycomb, and primarily seeks to provide a novel manner of slicing honeycomb slices from a honeycomb block.

In the formation of honeycomb, a honeycomb block is first laid up. A honeycomb block is formed of a plurality of sheets, normally paper, which are secured together by lines of adhesive, the lines of adhesive on opposite surfaces of a sheet being staggered and disposed intermediate each other. After a honeycomb block has been laid up, slices of the desired thickness are removed therefrom. The honeycomb slice is then expanded.

At the present time, the commercial cutting of honeycomb blocks is restricted to blocks of two or three inch thickness, the cutting normally being accomplished by meanslof a heavy duty shear. Although the honeycomb slice is expanded after it has been cut from the honeycomb block, the expansion factor is not sufiicient to provide a honeycomb core of the normally required dimensions. As a result, it is necessary to secure together edges of a plurality of honeycomb cores to produce a honeycomb core of the desired dimensions. This, of course, is undesirable. Attempts have also been made to cut slices from honeycomb blocks utilizing a band saw. However, difficulty is encountered in the flexing of the band saw blade which produces slices of varying thicknesses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method of cutting honeycomb slices from a honeycomb block, the method including the steps of cutting a honeycomb block to the permissible depth with the cutter at hand, permitting the partial honeycomb slice to fall away from the cutter and repeat the cutting operation until the entire honeycomb slice has fallen away from the honeycomb block. Since the honeycomb slice is expansible and, accordingly, readily bendable, when the honeycomb slice is disposed either vertically or horizontally at the bottom of the honeycomb block, the honeycomb slice will readily fall away from the cutter as the slicing operation takes place.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel method of cutting honeycomb slices from a honeycomb block, the method including the steps of positioning the honeycomb block with the individual sheets thereof generally horizontally disposed, forming an initial cut through the upper part of the honeycomb block to produce the honeycomb slice of the desired thickness, advancing the honeycomb block with respect to the cutter and repeating the slicing operation with the portion of the honeycomb slice removed from the honeycomb block falling over and away from the honeycomb block as the cutting operation proceeds, to clear the cutter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for cutting slices from a honeycomb block, the apparatus including a cutter which is reciprocable transversely of the honeycomb block, and a hoist, the hoist supporting the honeycomb block and being vertically movable to feed the honeycomb block into the cutter, the repeated cutting operation of the cutter coupled with the feeding of the honeycomb block relative to the cutter being of such a nature as to bring about the cutting of a slice from a relatively thick honeycomb block, the honeyice comb slice, due to its flexibility, falling away from the honeycomb block and clearing the cutter during the slicing operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for cutting slices from thick honeycomb blocks, the apparatus including a reciprocating knife and a vertically movable support for the honeycomb block, whereby as the reciprocating knife cuts individual sheets of the honeycomb'block, the honeycomb block will be advanced into the knife to continue the cutting operation, the honeycomb slice, as it is removed from the honeycomb block, falling away from the honeycomb block and clearing the reciprocating knife.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for cutting honeycomb slices of the desired thickness from honeycomb blocks irrespective of their height, the apparatus including a cutter which may be reciprocated across the honeycomb block and a hoist for supporting and feeding the honeycomb block into the cutter, the cutter being capable of repeatedly making a relatively shallow cut as compared to the height of the honeycomb block, and the portion of the honeycomb slice removed from the honeycombv block falling away from the honeycomb block and clearing the cutter so that progressive cutting operations of the cutter will result in the entire cutting of a honeycomb slice from a relatively large honeycomb block.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for automatically slicing honeycomb block in a series of slicing operations, the apparatus including a cutter fixed for reciprocation across a honeycomb block, a hoist supporting a honeycomb block for movement into the cutter, and control means for automatically effecting the reciprocation of the cutter and the elevation of the support, the means for elevating the support being automatically operated at the end of each stroke of the cutter.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel support for a honeycomb block during a honeycomb slicing operation, the support being in the form of a hoist on which a honeycomb block is set, the hoist including a backing panel which is horizontally adjustable so as to slide a honeycomb block along the support and thus feed the honeycomb block transversely of a cutter to obtain the desired thickness of slice to be removed from the honeycomb block, the backing panel being provided with a perforated face and having a vacuum source connected thereto whereby a honeycomb block is held against the backing panel by vacuum.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel support for a honeycomb block during a slicing operation, the support including a hoist having a horizontal portion on which a honeycomb block to be sliced rests, and a backing panel secured to the hoist for horizontal movement to effect the feeding of the honeycomb block beneath a cutter, the backing panel having connected thereto a plurality of screws and the hoist having a plurality of rotatable nuts fixed thereto and threadedly engaged on the screws of the backing panel, and there being provided means for simultaneously rotating all of the nuts in the same direction and at the same rate to feed the backing panel relative to the hoist.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for slicing a honeycomb block, the apparatus including a horizontally reciprocable cutter and a vertically movable hoist for supporting a honeycomb block and advancing the honeycomb block vertically with respect to the cutter to feed the honeycomb block into the cutter, and control means for effecting the timed reciprocation of the cutter and the operation of the hoist, the control means including control members disposed at opposite ends of the strokes of a carriage supporting the cutter for automatically reversing the direction of movement of the carriage and cutter, and other control members disposed at opposite ends of the strokes of the carriage for automatically operating the hoist to lower the hoist and the honeycomb block carried thereby at the end of a cutting stroke of the cutter to clear the honeycomb block from the cutter during the return stroke, and for automatically elevating the hoist and the honeycomb block at the end of the return stroke of the cutter to automatically feed the honeycomb block upwardly relative to the cutter for the next cutting stroke.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a simplified form of apparatus for slicing a honeycomb block, and shows a honeycomb block in the process of having a slice removed therefrom.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 and shows further the details thereof, a portion of the sawdust remover disposed at one end of the apparatus being omitted for purposes of clarity.

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, and shows the specific details of the means for advancing a backing panel carried by the hoist of the apparatus to horizontally feed a honeycomb block relative to the cutter.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view showing a major portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 in plan, a majority of the sawdust removing mechanism being omitted.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line '55 of FIGURE 2, and shows the manner in which the carriage for the cutter is reciprocated, the view being on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified form of cutter which is in the form of a reciprocating knife.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, with parts in section, of a modified form of drive for the carriage and cutter of an apparatus, such as that illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of cutter which may be used in lieu ofthe cutter of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 9 is'a fragmentary sectional view, with parts schematically shown, of a honeycomb block slicing apparatus, wherein the cutter is adjusted relative to the honeycomb block to produce the desired thickness of honeycomb slice.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view, showing generally the details of the backing panel used in conjunction with the apparatus of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic view of the controls for an automatic form of the apparatus of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 12 is a diagrammatic view similar'to FIG- URE 11 for another automatic form of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, wherein the cutter of FIGURE 8 is used.

FIGURE 13 is a diagrammatic view of the controls for another automatic form of the apparatus of FIG- URE 1, wherein the carriage for the cutter is reciprocated by an extensible double-acting fluid motor.

FIGURE 14 is a diagrammatic view of a typical valve which may be used in the control systems of FIGURES 11, 12 and 13.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a first form of apparatus in accordance with the invention is illustrated primarily in FIGURES 1 through 5, inclusive, and is generally referred to by the numeral 5. The apparatus Sinclu'des agenerally rectangular base 6, which may be of any construction, and a suitable frame, generally referred to by the numeral 7.

The frame 7 includes a pair of rear standards 8, 9, which are preferably in the form of I-beams, and which extend upwardly from the base 6. Horizontal frame members 10, 11 extend longitudinally across the upper ends of the standards 8, 9. A transverse frame member 12 extends between and is secured to the members 10, 11 to tie the standards 8, 9 together.

Forward standards 13, 14 extend upwardly from the base 6 adjacent the forward end thereof. The standards 13, 14 are disposed outwardly of the standards 8, 9. A longitudinal frame member 15 is secured to the outer surface of the standard 8, and extends forwardly therefrom, the longitudinal frame member 15 resting on the upper end of the standard 13 and projecting forwardly therebeyond. A similar longitudinal frame member 16 is secured to the outer surface of the standard 9 and extends forwardly therefrom, the longitudinal frame member 16 resting upon the upper end of the standard 14. A combination front transverse frame member and track 17 is secured to the forward ends of the frame members 15 and 16. The track 17 is in-the formof an I-beam, as is best shown in FIGURE 2.

A pair of light weight standards 18, 19, which are preferably formed of channel members, extend upwardly from the base 6 immediately in front of the standards 13, 14. The upper ends of the standards '18, 19 are connected together by a transverse frame member 20. A pair of longitudinal frame members 21, 22 extend between the transverse frame member 12 and the transverse frame member 20. Diagonal braces 23 extend upwardly and forwardly between the longitudinal frame member 15 and 16, and the transverse frame member 20. Also, diagonal braces 24 extend upwardly between the standards 18, 19 and the track 17.

A hoist, generally referred to by the numeral 25, is mounted within the frame 7. The hoist 25 includes an elevator, generally referred to by the numeral 26. The elevator 26 includes a generally rectangular vertical frame 27, which is best shown in FIGURE 3. A platform 28 extends forwardly from the lower edge of the frame 27 and is braced relative thereto by a pair of diagonal braces 29 (FIGURE 2).

The forward faces of the standards 8, 9 are provided with guides 30, 31. The vertical members of the frame are provided with shoes 32 which cooperate with the guides 30, 31 to limit the movement of the elevator 26 to vertical movement. The hoist also includes a doubleacting extensible fluid motor of the piston and cylinder type, generally referred to by the numeral 33. The fluid motor 33 includes, among other elements, a cylinder 34, which has its upper end connectedto the underside of the transverse frame member 12 through the use of a fitting 35. The fluid motor 33 also includes a piston rod 36 which is rigidly connected to the lower rear part of the frame 27 by a fitting 37. The fitting 37 is best illustrated in FIGURE 3.

It is the intention of the invention that a honeycomb block, such as the honeycomb block 38, be seated directly upon the platform 28 of the elevator 26. The honeycomb block 38 is positioned longitudinally of the apparatus 5 through the use of a backing panel 39. The backing panel 39 is disposed generally parallel to the frame 27 and forwardly thereof. The backing panel 39 is adjustably positioned with respect to the frame 27 so as to adjustably position the honeycomb block 38 on the platform 28.

The adjusting means for the backing panel 39 includes four screws 40 which are secured to the rear surface of the backing panel 39 in generally rectilinear pattern. The corners of the frame 27 are provided with gussets 41 which serve to mount nut members 42 on the frame 27 for rotation. Each one of the nut members 42 is threadedly engaged on oneof the elongatedscrews 40.

In order that the backing panel 39 may be retained in its vertical position parallel to the frame 27 at all times, it is necessary that the nut members 42 be rotated in unison at the same rate. Accordingly, each nut member 42 is provided with a sprocket 43 and a continuous chain 44 is entrained over all of the sprockets 43.

The chain 44 is driven by a drive mechanism, generally referred to by the numeral 45. The drive mechanism 45 includes a plate 46 which is secured to the frame 27 intermediate its upper and lower ends. A sprocket 47 and a sprocket 48 are mounted on the plate 46 for rotation. It is to be noted that the sprockets 47 and 48 are vertically offset from each other and are adjacent each other so that the chain 44 extends downwardly from the upper right hand sprocket 43 (FIGURE 3) around the sprocket 47, up and over the sprocket 48, and then down and around the lower right hand sprocket 43.

The drive means 45 also includes a mounting bracket 49 which extends rearwardly from the lower member of the frame 27. An electric motor 50 is mounted on the mounting bracket 49 rearwardly of a speed reducer 51. The electric motor 50 is suitably coupled to the speed reducer 51 for driving the same.

A gear 52 is secured to the sprocket 48 for rotation therewith. The gear 52 is, in turn, meshed with a gear 53. The gear 53 is secured to a sprocket 54 which, in turn, is connected to the speed reducer 51 by a chain 55. The speed reducer 51, if desired, may be of the adjustable ratio type.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 10, wherein the general details of the backing panel 39 are shown. The backing panel 39 is of a hollow construction, and includes a perforated front face 56 which engages the honeycomb block 38. A vacuum line 57 (FIGURE 3) is secured to the rear of the standard 9 and has an upper end portion 58 which is connected to a suitable vacuum source. A first fitting 60 extends from the vacuum line 57 to an upper rear corner of the backing panel 39. A second fitting 61 extends from the vacuum line 57 to a. lower rear corner of the backing panel '39. The fittings 60 and 61 are flexible and permit the movement of the elevator 26 and the relative movement of the backing panel 39 with respect to the elevator 26. A gauge 62 is mounted in communication with the vacuum line 57 to indicate the vacuum therein. It will be readily apparent that through the application of a vacuum on the honeycomb block 38, the honeycomb block 38 will move backwards and forward with the backing panel 39.

A carriage 63 is positioned on the track 17 for reciprocation. The carriage 63 is of an inverted channel shape in cross-section, and includes a pair of sides 64, 65 which are connected together at their upper ends by a transverse upper plate 66. Upper guides 67 andlower guides 68 are carried by the sides 64, 65 and engage the flanges of the track 17. In this manner, the carriage 63 is mounted on the track 17 for sliding movement transversely of the apparatus 5.

An elongated rack 69 is secured to the central part of the track 17. A shaft 70 extends transversely between the sides 64, 65 and has a drive gear 71 meshed with the rack 69. A second shaft 72 extends through the lower portions of the plates 64 and 65 and is journaled for rotation. A suitable cutter in the form of a saw 73 is secured to the shaft 72 rearwardly of the plate 64.

A mounting plate 74 overlies the plate 66 for movement with the carriage 63. A pair of electric motors 75 and 76 are mounted on the mounting plate 74. The electric motor 75 has a drive sprocket 77 which is aligned with a driven sprocket 78, the driven sprocket 78 being secured to the shaft 72. A drive chain 79 is entrained over the sprockets 77 and 78 to drive the shaft 72 and the saw 73 from the electric motor 75.

The electric motor 76 includes a drive sprocket 80 which is aligned with a driven sprocket 81 secured. to the shaft 70. A drive chain 82 is entrained over the sprockets and 81 to drivingly connect the shaft 70 and the drive gear 71 with the electric motor 76. Incidentally, the driven sprockets 78 and 81 are disposed forwardly of the carriage 63.

Reference is now had to FIGURE 2 wherein it is shown that a mounting frame 83 is mounted on the upper rear part of the frame 7. The mounting frame 83 supports an electric motor 84 and an exhaust blower 85. The exhaust blower 85 has a flexible intake tube 86 connected thereto, the intake tube 86 extending downwardly to the carriage 63 and terminating in a pick-up head 87 which is coupled to the carriage 63 for movement therewith. The pick-up head 87 is disposed in elignment with the saw 73 and receives sawdust thererom.

A stand 88 is mounted to the left of the frame 7, as viewed in FIGURE 1. An electric motor 89 and a blower 90 are mounted on the stand 88 generally in alignment with the saw 73. The blower 90 includes an intake 91 and a delivery hose 92. The delivery hose 92 is connected to the intake of the blower 85.

The electric motor 76 is of a reversible type, and the operation thereof is controlled by a pair of switches 93, 94 disposed at opposite ends of the track 17. A pair of push rods 95, 96 are mounted on the carriage 63 and project in opposite directions therefrom. The push rods 95 and 96 are aligned with the switches 93 and 94, respectively, so as to actuate their respective switches. The cutting stroke of the saw 73 is from left to right in FIGURE 1, and when the saw 73 approaches the right end of its cutting stroke, the operator 96 will engage the switch 94 to reverse the electric motor 76, which will reverse the carriage 63, so that the carriage 63 will move from right to left. When the carriage 63 approaches the left end of the return stroke of the saw 73, the operator 95 will engage the switch 93 and operate the switch 93 so as to reverse the direction of rotation of the electric motor 76 and cause the movement of the carriage 63 to the right again.

The extensible fluid motor 33 is a hydraulic motor and is operated by a hydraulic system which includes a hydraulic pump 97 and a reservoir 98. The hydraulic pump 97 is illustrated as being mounted on the reservoir 98 and disposed forwardly of the standard 14. However, any desired arrangement may be provided.

The hydraulic pump 97 is driven from an electric motor 99. The electric motor 99 is coupled to a speed reducer 100 which, in turn, is coupled to the hydraulic pump 97. The electric motor 99 and the speed reducer 100 are disposed rearwardly of the standard 14 and the drive connection between the hydraulic pump 97 and the speed reducer 100 extends through the standard 14.

The hydraulic system includes a supply line 101 and a return line 102 which are coupled to the hydraulic pump 97 and the reservoir 98, respectively, through a valve 104 which has a manual control 105. If desired, suitable gauges 106 and 107 may be incorporated in the lines 101 and 102, respectively. By manually operating the valve 104, the piston rod 36 of the extensible fluid motor 33 may be moved up or down, as is desired.

A suitable control panel assembly 108 is mounted on the frame 7 adjacent the standard 14 for controlling the operation of the various electric motors of the apparatus 5. In addition to the control panel assembly 108, a control switch 109 is mounted on the standard 8 for controlling the operation of the electric motor 50 which, when operated, controls the movement of the backing panel 39.

Operation In the operation of the apparatus 5, a honeycomb block 38 to be sliced is first placed upon the elevator 26. It is then fed forwardly through the operation of the drive mechanism 45, the chain 44, the nut members 42 and the screws 40 until a suflicient amount of the honey- 7. comb block 39 is disposed in advance of the saw 73 to provide the desired thickness of honeycomb slice. The apparatus is now ready to commence the slicing operation.

Prior to the beginning of the slicing operation, it is necessary to start the electric motors 75, 84 and 89, together with the electric motor for the vacuum source to which the vacuum line 57 is connected. The electric motor 76 is actuated only sufficiently to move the carriage 63 to the left end of its stroke.

After the various components of the apparatus 5 have been started, the electric motor 99 may be started so as to operate the hydraulic pump 97. The valve 104 is then positioned to move the elevator 26 and the honeycomb block 38 upwardly until the honeycomb block 38 has moved upwardly past the lowermost part of the saw 73 for the proper cut. The electric motor 76 is now energized to start the movement of the carriage 63 from left to right. As the saw 73 initially begins to cut the honeycomb block 38, the sawdust will be thrown rearwardly into the intake 91 for the blower and will be blown up into the blower 85 which will deliver it to a suitable discharge area. The saw 73 makes a transverse cut in the honeycomb block 38 as the carriage 63 moves from left to right, as is shown in FIGURE 1. During the transverse cut, the sawdust from the saw 73 goes into the pick-up head 87 and is drawn up into the blower 86. At the end of the cutting stroke, the movement of the carriage 63 is automatically reversed by the action of the switch 94. At this time, the operator of the apparatus 5 will move the control valve 104 so as to lower the honeycomb block 38 a slight amount and thus clear the saw 73 with the honeycomb block 38. The carriage 63 and the saw 73 move on the return stroke of the carriage 63 until the switch 93 is engaged, at which time the movement of the carriage 63 is reversed and begins the cutting stroke. At this time, the valve 104 is moved to a position to elevate the honeycomb block 38, the honeycomb block 38 being elevated sufficiently to produce the next cut of the desired depth. This operation is repeated until the entire honeycomb block 38 has been cut through.

It is to be noted that the saw 73 is of a much lesser radius than the thickness of the honeycomb block 38. Normally, it would not be expected that such a thickness of honeycomb block could be cut with such a small diameter saw. However, as is best shown in FIGURE 2, as the honeycomb slice, which will be referred to by the numeral 110, is cut from the honeycomb block 38, it will flex over and downwardly away from the saw 73. Thus, the honeycomb slice will automatically clear the saw 73 after each cutting operation. This function of the honeycomb slice 110 is critical, and the automatic clearing of the saw 73 by the honeycomb slice 110 is the basis on which the present invention rests. Unless this happens, the honeycomb slice 110 will interfere with the saw 73 and the depth of cut with the saw 73 will be limited to the radial distance from the hub of the saw to the periphery thereof.

A modified form of carriage assembly is illustrated in FIGURE 7. The carriage assembly of FIGURE 7 is referred to in general by the reference numeral 111, and includes a carriage generally referred to by the numeral 112. The carriage 112 is formed of a pair of vertical plates 113, 114 which are connected together at their upper ends by a top plate 115 and at their bottom ends by a bottom plate 116. A pair of guides 117, 118 are connected to the plate 113 adjacent the upper and lower edges thereof. The guides 117 and 118 ride upon projecting portions 119 of the track 17.

An electric motor 120 is mounted on the plate 115. A drive shaft 121 extends through the plates113, 114 and is rotatably journaled therein. One end of the drive shaft 121 is provided with a pulley 122 which is aligned with a drive pulley 123 secured to the armature shaft 124 of the electric motor 120. A drive belt 125 is entrained over 8 the pulleys 122 and 123 and drivingly connects the two together to drive the drive shaft 121.

A second shaft 126 extends through and is rotatably journaled in the plates 113, 114 in parallel relation to the drive shaft 121. A drive gear 127 is mounted on the shaft 126 and is meshed with the rack 69. The drive gear 127 is driven by a gear 128 which is secured to the drive shaft 121 and is meshed with the gear 127. A saw 129 is secured to the drive shaft 121.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the carriage assembly 111 differs from the carriage assembly of the apparatus 5 only in that the extra electric motor for driving the drive gear has been eliminated, and the drive gear for reciprocating the carriage assembly 111 is driven from the shaft for the saw. Incidentally, it will be necessary that the electric motor 120 be of the reversible type in order to obtain the reversal of movement of the carriage assembly 111.

In FIGURE 11, there has been illustrated diagrammatically a control system for the apparatus 5 which is automatic in operation. The changes are to be primarily found in the hydraulic system for the extensible fluid motor 33. In addition to the control valve 104, which is manually operated, there have been provided two additional valves 130 and 131. These valves may be of any conventional type, and an example of a typical valve will be set forth in detail hereinafter. The valve 130 will momentarily connect the extensible fluid motor 33 to the hydraulic pump 97 and the reservoir 98 so as to permit the elevator 26 to move downwardly. The connections to the valve 131 are reversed, and the valve 131 is operated momentarily to communicate the extensible fluid motor 33 to the hydraulic pump 97 and the reservoir 98 such a manner that the elevator 26 is moved upwardly a distance equal to the distance the elevator 26 was lowered by the action of the valve 130 plus the desired depth of cut for the saw 73.

Although the specific details of the hydraulic lines for the valve 104 and the extensible fluid motor 33 have not been described with respect to the form of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 5, inclusive, the valve 104 is connected to the upper end of the cylinder 34 by a fluid line 132 and to the lower end of the cylinder 34 by a fluid line 133. The valve 130 is connected to the fluid line 132 by a fluid line 134 and to the fluid line 133 by a fluid line 135. The valve 130 is also connected to the fluid line 101 by a fluid line 136 and to the fluid line 102 by a fluid line 137.

The valve 131 is connected to the fluid line 132 through the fluid line 134 by a fluid line 138. The valve 131 is connected to the fluid. line133 by a fluid line 139. The valve 131 is also connected to the fluid line 101 by a fluid line 140 and to the fluid line 102 through the fluid line 137 by a fluid line 141.

The electric motor 76 is connected to a reversing switch 142 which may be of any conventional type. For purposes of illustration, the reversing switch 142 is provided with coils 143 and 144 at opposite ends thereof for effecting the shifting thereof. The reversing switch 142 is connected to the electric motor 76 by wires 145 and to line Wires 146. In the apparatus 5, the energization of the coils 143 and 144 is controlled by the switches 93 and 94, respectively.

In the modified apparatus control of FIGURE 11, the switches 93 and 94 have been replaced by compound switches 147 and 148, respectively. The electrical system of the control of FIGURE 11 includes a pair of power input wires 149 and 150 which may be connected to any desired electrical supply source. The wire 150 is connected to the switch 147 by a wire 151 and to the switch 148 by a wire 152. One-half of the compound switch 147 is connected to the coil 143 by a wire 153. A similar half of the compound switch 148 is connected to the coil 144 by a wire 154. Wires 155 and 156 connect the coils 143 and 144, respectively, to the wire 149.

9 Thus, when the switches 147 and 148 are tripped, their respective coils 143 and 144 will be energized to operate the reversing switch mechanism 142 and thereby reverse the direction of rotation of the electric motor 76.

The control valves 130 and 131 are electrically actuated. The actuation of the control valve 130 is controlled by the compound switch 148 and the actuation of the control valve 131 is controlled by the compound switch 147. The compound switch 147 has the other switch half thereof connected to the control valve 131 by a wire 158. The control valve 131 is also connected to the power supply wire 149 by a Wire 160. Thus, when the switch 147 is closed, the control valve 131 will be momentarily actuated.

A wire 161 connects the control valve 130 to the other half of the compound switch 148. The control valve 130 is also connected to the power supply line or wire 149 by a wire 162. In this manner, the control valve 130 is momentarily actuated. when the switch 148 is closed.

With the control system of FIGURE 11, the elevator 26 may be manually raised and lowered through the manual operation of the valve 104. This permits the operator of an apparatus, such as the apparatus 5, to position a honeycomb block 38 for the initial cut. Once the honeycomb block has been positioned for the initial cut, the operation of the honeycomb block slicing apparatus will be automatic.

Operation With the operation of the control of FIGURE 11, once the honeycomb block 38 has been positioned for the initial cut, the control switch for-the electric motor 76 is closed and the carriage 63 begins its traverse from left to right. When the carriage 63 reaches the right end of its traverse, the compound switch 148 is actuated so as to simultaneously reverse the direction of rotation of the electric motor 76 and lower the honeycomb block 38 to clear the saw 73 through the operation of the control valve 130.

When the carriage 63 is traveling along its return stroke, the honeycomb block 38 is disposed below the saw 73 and there is no frictional engagement between the saw 73 and the honeycomb block 38. At the end of the return stroke of the carriage 63, the carriage 63 will actuate the compound switch 147. The actuation of the compound switch 147 will result in the reversing of the direction of rotation of the electric motor 76 to its original direction and the operation of the control valve 131. The control valve 131 will admit a sufficient amount of hydraulic fluid to the lower part of the cylinder 34 to raise the elevator 26 a distance equal to the amount it was lowered by the action of the control valve 130 plus the desired depth of cut for the saw 73. This operation is continued with the honeycomb slice 110 continuously falling away from the saw 73 so as to clear the saw 73 and the carriage 63 until such time as the honeycomb slice 110 has been completely cut from the honeycomb block 38.

In FIGURE 8, a modified form of a cutter is illustrated. The cutter of FIGURE 8 is in the form of a rotary knife 165 which may be mounted on the carriage 63 in lieu of the saw 73. The rotary knife 165 may be coupled to the shaft 72 in the same manner as is the saw 73.

An advantage of the rotary knife 165 is that it can cut in either direction of movement as opposed to the single direction of cut by the saw 73. Since both strokes of the carriage 63 become cutting strokes when the rotary knife 165 is utilized, it is necessary that the control system of FIGURE 11 be modified. This is best shown in FIGURE 12.

In the modification of the control system of FIGURE 11, the control valve 130 is eliminated. The fluid line 138 is directly coupled to the fluid line 132 and the fluid line 141 is directly coupled to the fluid line 102. Also, the wire 162 is eliminated, and the wire 161 is connected to the wire so that the control valve 131 will be actuated when either of the compound switches 147 or 148 is actuated. Also, it will be necessary to adjust the control valve 131 or replace it with a similar one of a lesser capacity so that the control valve 131 only admits sufii cient fluid to the cylinder 34 to elevate the honeycomb block 38 a distance equal to the depth of desired cut for the knife 165. Even should the depth of cut for the knife be the same as that for the saw 73, this adjustment will be required because the honeycomb block 38 will not be lowered when the carriage 63 reaches the right hand end of its travel.

In FIGURE 13, a modified form of control and operator for the apparatus 5 is illustrated. The electric motor 76, the rack 69 and the drive gear 71, together with the drive elements between the drive gear 71 and the electric motor 76, are eliminated and a horizontally disposed extensible fluid motor, generally referred to by the numeral 166, is provided. The fluid motor 166 includes a cylinder 167 and a piston rod 168. The cylinder 167 will be rigidly mounted on the frame 7 in alignment with the track 17 at the right hand end of the track 17. The piston rod 168 will be connected to the carriage 63 in any desired manner so as to shift the carriage 63 back and forth along the track 17 when the fluid motor 166 is actuated.

. A control valve, generally referred to by the numeral 169, is provided for controlling the automatic operation of the fluid motor 166. The control valve 169 may be of any conventional type, and a typical control valve installation will include a housing 170 in which a valve member 171 is slidably positioned. Fluid lines 172 and 173 extend from one side of the housing 170 to opposite ends of the cylinder 167. A fluid line 174 extends from the opposite side of the housing 170 and is connected to an air compressor 175 or other suitable source of compressed air. An exhaust line 176 is also connected to the opposite side of the housing 17 0.

The valve member 171 is provided with a first pair of crossed passages 177 and .178. The valve member 171 is also provided with a second pair of passages 179 and 180 which are in parallel relation.

The valve member 171 is provided at its opposite ends with shaft extensions 181, 182 which project through the ends of the housing 170. A coil 183 is disposed about the shaft extension 181 and a similar coil 184 is disposed about the shaft extension 182 to effect the shifting of the valve member 171 back and forth within the housing 170.

The controls for the extensible fluid motor 33 will remain the same as those described in conjunction with FIGURE 11. Also, the compound switches 147 and 148 will be utilized. However, the wire 153 will now be connected to the coil 183 and the wire 154 will be connected to the coil 184. The opposite ends of the coils 183 and 184 will be connected to a wire 185 which, in turn, is connected to the power supply wire 149. Thus, when the compound switch 147 is actuated, the coil 183 will be energized to move the valve member 171 from right to left, and when the switch 148 is actuated, the coil 184 will be energized .to shift the valve member 171 from left to right.

When the passages 177 and 178 are aligned with the lines 172, 173, 174 and 176, compressed air will be supplied to the right end of the cylinder 167 and the left end of the cylinder 167 will be exhausted. At this time, the piston rod 168 is moved from right to left. However, when the valve member 171 is shifted to the left, the passage 179 is aligned with the lines 172 and 174, and the passage 180 is aligned with the lines 173 and 176. When the valve member 171 is in this position, compressed air is admitted to the left end of the cylinder 167 and the right end of the cylinder 167 is exhausted. The piston rod 168 now moves from left .to right.

With the exception of the substitution of the extensible fluid motor 166 for the electric motor 76, the operation of 1 1 the apparatus 5, utilizing the control of FIGURE 13, will be .the same as that described with respect to the control of FIGURE 11. Accordingly, no additional description 'is believed to be necessary.

Reference is now had to FIGURE 9 wherein a modified mechanism for shifting the honeycomb block 38 and the cutter relative to each other is illustrated. This mechanism may be readily adapted in the apparatus of FIG- URE 5. The apparatus of FIGURE 9 is generally referred to by the numeral 188 and includes the elongation of the longitudinal frame members 15 and 16 forwardly of their positions in FIGURES 1 through 5. The forward ends of the individual frame members 15, 16 are supported by forward standards 189. Further, the forward ends of the frame members 15, 16 are connected together by a transverse frame member 190. An elongated feed screw 191 is disposed parallel to each of the frame members 15, 16 and is rotatably journaled at its forward end in the transverse frame member 190. The rear end of each of the feed screws 191 may be suitably journaled in any desired manner. A drive unit for each of the feed screws 191 is mounted on the transverse frame member 190, the drive unit being referred to in general by the reference numeral 192. The drive unit 192 will include an electric motor 193 and a gear unit 194. It is preferred that the gear unit 194 be provided with interchangeable gears so that the rate of drive for the feed screws 191 may be varied to adjust the apparatus 188 to set the apparatus to cut slices of diiferent thicknesses.

A modified form of track 195 replaces the track 17. The track 195 is in the'form of a flat plate which is supported at its opposite ends by hangers 196. Thehangers 196 are secured to followers 197 which are slidably mounted on the frame members 15, 16 and driven by the feed screws 191.

Only a simple form of carriage 198 has been illustrated. Of course, the carriage 198 may be of any desired design. The carriage 198 supports for rotation a shaft 199. A suitable cutter 200 is secured to one end of the shaft 199. The cutter 200 may either be in the form of a saw, such as the saw 73, or in the form of a rotary knife, such as the rotary knife 165. The opposite end of the shaft 199 is provided with a gear 201 which is meshed with a gear 202 of an electric motor 203. A mounting bracket 204 supports the electric motor 203 from the carriage 198.

No means have been illustrated for reciproacting the carriage 198 along the track 195. It is readily understandable that, if it is so desired, a suitable rack and gear drive may be provided, or, the extensible fluid motor 166 may be used for the reciprocation of the carriage 198.

A further form of apparatus is illustrated in FIGURE 6, and is generally referred to by the numeral 205. The apparatus 205 incorporates many of the details of the apparatus 5, and varies only in the nature of the cutter and the mounting therefor. The track 17 is eliminated, and suitable guides 206, 207 are mounted on the forward ends of the horizontal frame members 15, 16. A horizontal beam 208, similar to the track 17, is provided. The beam 208 is provided with upper and lower extensions 209, 210 on one of the flanges thereof, the flange being vertically disposed. The extensions 209, 210 are engaged in the guides 206, 207 and serve to mount the beam 208 for guided reciprocatory movement.

A suitable mounting bracket 211 is secured to the forward part of the horizontal frame member 15. A fluid motor 212 of the vibratory type is provided. The fluid motor 212 includes a cylinder 213 which is secured to the mounting bracket 211 through a pair of supports 214. The fluid motor 212 also includes a piston rod 215 which, in turn, is provided with a fitting 216 which is coupled to the beam 208. During the operation of the fluid motor 212, the beam 208 is reciprocated back and forth within the guides 206, 207.

A knife 217 is secured to the flange of the beam 208 adjacent the extension 210. It is to be understood that 12 the extensions 210 are disposed only at the ends of the beam 208 and that the knife blade 217 will fill the space therebetween. It is also to be understood that the knife blade 217 will be of insuflicient length to engage either of the guides 206, 207.

When the apparatus 5 is modified to incorporate the apparatus 205, there will be no requirement for the sawdust collector. Accordingly, this may be eliminated, together with the elements eliminated through the use of the apparatus 205. The hoist 25 will function to elevate the honeycomb block 38 during the slicing operation. However, the hoist 25 will be so operated whereby the elevator 26 will move the honeycomb block 38 upwardly at a constant rate equal to the cutting rate of the knife 217. The knife 217 will, in effect, slice individual sheets of the honeycomb block 38, and as the knife 217 performs its cutting operation, the portion of the honeycomb slice cut from the honeycomb block 38 will fold over and downwardly, as is illustrated. I

A typical control valve installation which may be used for the control valves and 131 is illustrated in FIG- URE 14, the control valve being generally referred to by the numeral 220. The control valve 220 will include a housing 221 and a valve member 222 which is positioned within the housing 221 for sliding movement. A first pair of ports 223, 224 is formed in one side of the housing 221. A similar pair of opposed ports 225, 226 is formed in the opposite side of the housing 221. The valve member 222 is provided with a pair of transverse parallel passages 227, 228. Normally, the passages 227, 228 are out of register with the ports of the valve housing 221.

The valve member 222 also includes an extension shaft 229. The extension shaft 229 projects beyond the valve housing 221 and passes through a coil 230.

A switch 231 is positioned in alignment with the extension shaft 229. The switch 231 is normally closed and is openable by engagement therewith by an extension 232 on the extension shaft 229, it being preferred that the extension 232 be insulated. One terminal of the switch 231 is connected to the coil 230 by a wire 233. A second wire 234 is connected to the other terminal of the switch 231. A wire 235 is connected to the other end of the coil 230. The control wires for the control valve may be connected to the wires 234 and 235 in any desired manner.

In the operation of the control valve 230, the valve member 222 is normally held in its inoperative position by a coil spring 236 positioned within the housing 221 and bearing against the right end of the valve member 222. At this time, the valve passages 227 and 228 are out of alignment with all the ports in the valve housing 221. When the coil 230 is energized, it will shift the valve member 222 to the right to align the passage 227 with the ports 223 and 225, and the passage 228 with the ports 224 and 226. After the valve member 222 has moved to the right .a short distance, the switch 231 will be opened to deenergize the coil 230, at which time the valve member 222 will again be moved to the left by the action of the coil spring 236. By adjusting the position of the switch 231 with respect to the extension shaft 229, or by adjusting the projection of the extension 232, the amount of overlap between the passages 227, 228 and the ports of the valve housing 221 may be varied to control the amount of fluid which is delivered to a cylinder.

While the present disclosure has been directed to preferences, attention is again invited to the possibility of making variations within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of slicing a honeycomb block of the type including a plurality of adhered layers, said method including the steps of positioning the honeycomb block relative to acutting element with the plane of the individual layers of the honeycomb block being disposed normal to the cutting plane of the cutting element, feeding the honeycomb block and the cutting element relative to each other with the cutting element simultaneously cutting a plurality of layers of the honeycomb block and with the newly formed portion of the honeycomb slice cut away from the honeycomb block moving away from the remainder of the honeycomb block to clear the cutting element, and alternatively repeating the feeding and cutting steps until the entire honeycomb slice is removed from the honeycomb block.

2. A method of slicing a honeycomb block of the type including a plurality of adhered layers, said method including the steps of positioning the honeycomb block relative to a cutting element with the plane of the individual layers of the honeycomb block being disposed normal to the cutting plane of the cutting element, feeding the honeycomb block and the cutting element relative to each other with the cutting element simultaneously cutting a plurality of layers of the honeycomb block and with the newly formed portion of the honeycomb slice cut away from the honeycomb block moving away from the remainder of the honeycomb block to clear the cutting element, moving the cutting element and the honeycomb block apart to clear the honeycomb block with the cutting element during the return stroke of the cutting element, and alternatingly repeating the feeding, cutting and moving apart steps until the entire honeycomb slice is removed from thehoneycomb block.

3. A method of slicing a honeycomb block of the type including a plurality-of adhered layers while utilizing a cuttingelement mounted for movement solely along a horizontal path, the method comprising the steps of positioning the honeycomb block relative to the cutting element with the plane of the individual layers of the honeycomb block being horizontally disposed and normal to the cutting plane of the cutting element and with upper most ones of the layers disposed above the cutting line of the cutting element, moving the cutting element across the honeycomb block with the cutting element simultaneously cutting a plurality of the layers and with the newly formed portion of the honeycomb slice cut away from the honeycomb block moving away from the remainder of the honeycomb block to clear the cutting element, elevating the honeycomb block to place additional ones of the layers above the cutting line of the cutting element, repeating the cutting step to cut the additional layers, and alternatingly repeating the elevating and cutting steps until the entire honeycomb slice is removed from the honeycomb block.

4. An apparatus for slicing a honeycomb block comprising a frame, a hoist for supporting a honeycomb block and progressively elevating the same during each slicing operation, a vertically flexed cutter carried by said frame, said cutter having a vertical cutting edge, means connected to said cutter for operating said cutter in a horizontal traverse cutting direction, and means connected to said hoist for elevating a honeycomb block in timed relation to the slicing of honeycomb block by said cutter, whereby a complete cutting of a slice may be accomplished by a plurality of horizontal traverses of said cutter.

5. An apparatus for slicing a honeycomb block comprising a frame, a hoist for supporting a honeycomb block and progressively elevating the same during each slicing operation, a vertically fixed cutter carried by said frame, said cutter having a vertical cutting edge, means connected to said cutter for operating said cutter in a horizontal traverse cutting direction, means connected to said hoist for elevating a honeycomb block in timed relation to the slicing of the honeycomb block by said cutter, whereby a complete cutting of a slice may be accomplished by a plurality of horizontal traverses of said cutter, and means carried by said hoist for shifting a honeycomb block supported by said hoist into overlapping relation relative to said cutter to vary the thickness of the honeycomb slice removed from the honeycomb block.

6. An apparatus for slicing a honeycomb block comprising a frame, a hoist for supporting a honeycomb block and progressively elevating the same during each slicing operation, a vertically fixed cutter carried by said frame, said cutter having a vertical cutting edge, means connected to said cutter for operating said cutter, means connectedto said hoist for elevating a honeycomb block in timed relation to the slicing of the honeycomb block by said cutter, whereby a complete cutting of a slice may be accomplished by a plurality of horizontal traverses of said cutter, and a backing panel for a honeycomb block, means mounting said backing panel on said hoist for movement towards and away from the plane of said cutter to position a honeycomb block supported by said hoist relative to said cutter to reposition a honeycomb block after each complete slice forming operation and to control thethickness of the honeycomb" slice removed from the honeycomb block.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said backing panel has a perforated honeycomb block engaging face, and a -vacuum source connected to said backing panel and opening through said perforated face to retain a honeycomb block in contact with said perforated face.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said backing panel feed means includes a plurality of feed screws secured to said backing panel in horizontally and vertically spaced relation, a nut threadedly engaged on each of said feed screws, means securing said nuts to said hoist for rotation, and drive means connected to said nuts for simultaneously rotating said nuts at the same rate.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said nuts each include a sprocket, and said drive means includes a drive sprocket and adrive chain, said drive chain being entrained over said nut sprockets and said drive sprocket.

10. An apparatus for slicing a honeycomb block comprising a frame, a hoist for supporting a honeycomb block and elevating the same during a slicing operation, a horizontally disposed knife having a lower cutting edge extending transversely of said hoist, means mounting said knife for lengthwise reciprocation, drive means for reciprocating said knife, and means for continuously elevating said hoist at a rate generally equal to the rate of honeycomb block cutting by said knife, whereby a honeycomb block issliced sheet by sheet.

11. An apparatus for slicing a honeycomb block into individual honeycomb slices, said apparatus comprising a hoist for supporting a honeycomb block and progressively elevating the same during each slicing operation, a track extending transversely of said hoist, a carriage mounted on said track for movement therealong, first drive means connected to said carriage for moving said carriage back and forth along said track, a rotary cutter carried by said carriage and lying in a vertical plane, second drive means carried by said carriage for rotating said cutter, and operating means connected to said hoist for operating said hoist in timed relation to the movement of said carriage whereby the honeycomb block carried by said hoist is elevated after each partial slice forming operation of said cutter to position the honeycomb block for a next cutting movement of said cutter.

12. An apparatus for slicing a honeycomb block into individual honeycomb slices, said apparatus comprising a hoist for supporting a honeycomb block and elevating the same during a slicing operation, a track extending transversely of said hoist, a carriage mounted on said track for movement therealong, first drive means connected to said carriage for moving said carriage back and forth along said track, a rotary cutter carried by said carriage, second drive means carried by said carriage for rotating said cutter, and operating means connected to said hoist for operating said hoist in timed relation to the movement of said carriage, said hoist including an extensible fluid motor, said operating means including a firstcontrol valve for operating said fluid motor to lower said hoist and a second control valve for operating said fluid motor to elevate said hoist, control members for said control valves engageable and operable by said carriage, said control member for said first control valve being positioned at the end of the cutting stroke of said carriage and said control member for said second control valve being positioned at the end of the return stroke of said carriage, whereby during a honeycomb block slicing operation a honeycomb block is lowered at the end of a cutting stroke to clear the cutter and is elevated at the end of a return stroke to raise the honeycomb block for a next cutting stroke.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said control members are each of the multiple unit type and also control the operation of said first drive means.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first drive means includes a second extensible fluid motor.

15. An apparatus for slicing a honeycomb block into indivdual honeycomb slices, said apparatus comprising a hoist for supporting a honeycomb block and elevating'the same during a slicing operation, a track extending transversely of said hoist, a carriage mounted on said track for movement therealong, first drive means connected to said carriage for moving said carriage back and forth along said track, a rotary cutter carried by said-carriage, second drive means carried by said carriage for rotating said cutter, and operating means connected to said hoist for operating said hoist in timed relation to the movement of said carriage, said hoist operating means including an extensible fluid motor, said operatng means including a control valve for operating said fluid motor to elevate said hoist, and control members for said control valve at opposite ends of the path of said carriage for engagement and actuation by said carriage at the end of each carriage stroke to elevate said hoist.

16. An apparatus for slicing a honeycomb block into individual honeycomb slices, said apparatus comprising a hoist for supporting a honeycomb block and elevating the same during a slicing operation, a track extending traversely of said hoist, a carriage mounted on said track for movement therealong, first drive means 'connected to said carriage for moving said carriage back and forth along said track, .a rotary cutter carried by said carriage, second drive means carried by said carriage for rotating said cutter, first operating means for lowering said hoist at the end of the cutting stroke of said carriage, and second operating means for elevating said hoist at the end of the return stroke of said carriage, whereby during a honeycomb block slicing operation a honeycomb block is lowered at the end of a cutting stroke to clear the cutter and is elevated at the end of a return stroke to raise the honeycomb block for a next cutting stroke.

17. ,An apparatus for slicing a honeycomb block comprising a frame, a hoist for supporting a honeycomb block and progressively elevating the same during each slicing operation, a transverse track, means carried by said frame mounting said track for front to rear movement and return, a cutter having a vertical cutting edge, means connecting said cutter to said track for reciprocatory movement along said track, means carried by said frame for moving and positioning said track to position said cutter relative to a honeycomb block' and thereby control the thickness of a honeycomb slice being removed from the honeycomb block, and means connected to said hoist for elevating the honeycomb block in timed relation to the slicing of the honeycomb block by said cutter whereby the honeycomb block carried by said hoist is elevated after each partial slice forming operation of saidcutter to position the honeycomb block for a next cutting movement of said cutter.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 20,483 8/37 Lewis et al. 83561 225,443 3 Wachtershauser 835 61 1,340,225 5/20 Howard 8335 1,437,309 ll/22 Hughes 83488 1,469,757 10/23 Sibley 8335 1,957,711 5/34- Heyman 83-467 2,097,639 11/37 Perreton 83-255 2,168,579 -8/39 Perreton 315 2,498,160 2/50 Gaviola et al. 83467 2,520,495 8/50 Dehn 83-467 2,605,840 8/52 Parker 83411 2,821,254 1/58 Kernen 83925 2,873,508 2/59 Candler 83-488 FOREIGN PATENTS 332,041 7/30 Great Britain.

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

ARTHUR B. MILLER, CARL W. TOMLIN, HUNTER C. BOURNE, WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Examiners. 

1. A METHOD OF SLICING A HONEYCOMB BLOCK OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ADHERED LAYERS, SAID METHOD INCLUDING THE STEPS OF POSITIONING THE HONEYCOMB BLOCK RELATIVE TO A CUTTING ELEMENT WITH THE PLANE OF INDIVIDUAL LAYERS OF THE HONEYCOMB BLOCK BEING DISPOSED NORMAL TO THE CUTTING PLANE OF THE CUTTING ELEMENT, FEEDING THE HONEYCOMB BLOCK AND THE CUTTING ELEMENT, FEEDING TO EACH OTHER WITH THE CUTTING ELEMENT SIMULTANEOUSLY CUTTING A PLURALITY OF LAYERS OF THE HONEYCOMB BLOCK AND WITH THE NEWLY FORMED PORTION OF THE HONEYCOMB SLICE CUT AWAY FROM THE HONEYCOMB BLOCK MOVING AWAY FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE HONEYCOMB BLOCK TO CLEAR THE CUTTING ELEMENT, AND ALTERNATIVELY REPEATING THE FEEDING AND CUTTING STEPS UNTIL THE ENTIRE HONEYCOMB SLICE IS REMOVED FROM THE HONEYCOMB BLOCK. 